When betting on football results people often look at the odds rather than the actual game they’re betting on.

This was finally supposed to be the year. The year that Arsenal Football Club ended their five-year trophy drought and finally mature into winners. Two weeks ago many were convinced it was going to happen. But two weeks in football is a very long time.

Beneath the floodlights and amidst the persistent drizzle, there’s an on-field battle taking place. It’s a top of the table clash. The game has been a tight affair, and the refereeing has been slightly dubious. This is football in its raw, most primal state.

A £50million price tag on your head is always going to put pressure on any footballer.

Despite Martin O’Neil’s departure before the season started, a mid table finish was the minimum required by new manager Gerrard Houllier from the fans. Now with only nine games left, Aston Villa now sit just two points off the relegation zone.

The ‘don’ type figure has managed all over Europe, Finland, Norway and Switzerland and, of course England. Achieving success in the land of Scandinavia and even going onto manage the Finnish national team, meant that Hodgson restored his reputation as a manager, after a pretty unsuccessful spell at Blackburn Rovers.